The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 88 - The Eternal Rivalry

Kakashi and Mayumi were back in Konoha and had nothing to do. No rebuilding, no life-threatening situations—just a quiet afternoon, wandering through the streets, enjoying the well-earned break.

It was nice.

"You know," Mayumi mused, hands tucked behind her head as they strolled through the market, "this is probably the first time we've had an actual normal day in... forever."

Kakashi hummed in agreement. "It's suspiciously peaceful."

Mayumi smirked. "You say that like something's about to ruin it."

And that's when it happened.

A very loud, very familiar voice boomed across the village.

"KAKASHI! MY ETERNAL RIVAL! TODAY, WE SHALL ONCE AGAIN TEST OUR YOUTHFUL SPIRITS!"

Kakashi sighed. "And there it is."

Before he could even turn, a blur of green and orange launched itself toward them at full speed.

Mayumi barely had time to react before a fully energized Might Guy landed dramatically in front of them, his hands on his hips, grinning like he had just been waiting all day for this moment.

Behind him, an equally enthusiastic Rock Lee stood with literal tears in his eyes.

"GUY-SENSEI, YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION!"

"LEE, MY PRECIOUS STUDENT, TOGETHER WE SHALL UPHOLD THE FLAMES OF YOUTH!"

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I even go outside?"

Mayumi, meanwhile, was thrilled.

"Guy!" she greeted, grinning. "We were just talking about how suspiciously peaceful today was!"

"Ah-ha! Then it is fate that I arrived when I did!" Guy declared, striking a pose. "Kakashi, my rival, it is time for our next challenge!"

Kakashi stared at him, already regretting everything. "Do I have a choice?"

"OF COURSE NOT!"

Mayumi clapped her hands together. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

⸻

After much unnecessary shouting and dramatic speeches, they finally settled on a competition.

And somehow—because things always escalated with these two—it involved Mayumi's telekinesis.

"Today's contest shall be... an AERIAL RACE!" Guy announced, pointing at the sky. "Mayumi, my dear friend, with your incredible abilities, you shall lift us into the air and propel us forward! The first one to reach the top of the village gates wins!"

Rock Lee gasped. "A STUNNING DISPLAY OF YOUTHFUL DETERMINATION!"

Kakashi just looked at Mayumi. "You agreed to this?"

She shrugged. "Guy bribed me with dango."

Kakashi sighed. "Of course he did."

"Alright, gentlemen," Mayumi said, rolling her shoulders as she raised her hands, blue energy flickering around them, "buckle up."

⸻

The second Mayumi threw them into the air, Kakashi knew this was a mistake.

He and Guy shot upward at an alarming speed, carried by Mayumi's telekinetic power, before leveling out midair.

"This is AMAZING!" Guy shouted, arms outstretched like he was soaring.

Kakashi, on the other hand, was not thrilled. "Mayumi, if you drop me, I swear—"

"I won't drop you," she called from below, sounding way too entertained. "Probably."

"PROBABLY?!"

And then, to absolutely no one's surprise, Guy took this challenge way too seriously.

"HA! KAKASHI, LET US SEE WHO TRULY REIGNS SUPREME!"

He started kicking the air as if he could somehow run mid-flight.

Which, disturbingly, kind of worked.

Kakashi narrowed his eye. "Oh, so that's how we're playing?"

And just like that, their friendly competition turned into an all-out, midair battle.

Kakashi twisted his body, adjusting his center of gravity to propel forward faster. Guy somersaulted, gaining distance with sheer determination.

From the ground, Mayumi and Lee watched in awe.

"This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen," Mayumi commented.

"ISN'T IT GLORIOUS?!" Lee cried.

⸻

They were so close to the top of the village gates, neck and neck—until Mayumi, for absolutely no reason, decided to spin them both midair just to mess with them.

"Whoa—Mayumi!" Kakashi barked as he suddenly lost control.

Guy, meanwhile, embraced the spin.

"YES! A TRUE TEST OF YOUTHFUL ENDURANCE!"

Unfortunately, their combined weight was a little too much for Mayumi to handle at that angle, and she lost her grip on the technique.

Which meant Kakashi and Guy plummeted toward the ground.

Mayumi just managed to slow their fall enough that instead of dying, they crashed into the village fountain with a very dramatic splash.

Silence.

Then—

"OH MY GOD."

Mayumi was howling with laughter. "I—pfft—I told you guys to stop moving—"

Kakashi groaned, dragging himself out of the fountain, soaked and so done. "I hate today."

Guy, of course, emerged victoriously, standing tall in the water.

"ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL COMPETITION! TRULY, WE ARE EVENLY MATCHED ONCE AGAIN!"

Rock Lee was crying. "THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!"

Kakashi turned to Mayumi, his silver hair plastered to his forehead. "I blame you."

She wiped tears from her eyes, still laughing. "Oh, absolutely."

And just like that, the rivalry continued.